Water Crisis in Pakistan
National News: After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Pakistan is surrounded by crisis from all sides. On one hand, India's strict decisions have increased international pressure on the Shahbaz government, on the other hand, the truth of Pakistan's water crisis has come to the fore. A report has claimed that the situation is so serious that Pakistan has only 30 days of water left. Meanwhile, another sensational claim has come to the fore. Senior Pakistani journalist Adil Raza has alleged that the Pahalgam attack was carried out at the behest of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir.
Adil Raza has made this claim quoting Pakistani intelligence sources. After this revelation, supporters of Imran Khan's party PTI have come out openly. They say that if the situation is to improve, then Asim Munir will have to be removed and Imran Khan will have to be brought back to power. Amidst this controversy, the politics of Pakistan has become even more difficult.
Amidst this crisis, Pakistan's water crisis is becoming worse. By August 2024, the total water in Pakistan's three major dams was recorded to be only 11.5 million acre feet (MAF), which is much less than the country's needs. According to international standards, a country should have water storage for at least 120 days, but Pakistan has only 30 days of storage. In such a situation, India has worsened Pakistan's condition by stopping water.
Pakistan is a lower riparian country where these rivers fall. They originate in India, so Pakistan is dependent on this treaty for 80% of its water flow. Water from these rivers is the backbone of agriculture and irrigation in Punjab and Sindh provinces. Punjab province is the centre of 85% of the country's food grain production. But with this agreement, agriculture contributes 25% to Pakistan's economy and 70% of the rural population's livelihood depends on it. Pakistan has a population of about 25 crores. At the same time, this decision will affect more than half of Pakistan's population.
The biggest reason for Pakistan's water crisis has been the negligence in dam projects for years. In the 1970s, a plan was made to build a mega dam every decade, but even after 50 years, no major dam has been completed. Important projects like Kalabagh Dam fell prey to political opposition and lethargy. The recently started Mohammad and Diamer-Bhasha Dams are also running far behind the scheduled deadline.
Pakistan's water policy, irrigation system and water conservation are also seriously flawed. The country uses 90 percent of its water for agriculture, while the global average is 70 percent. The slow pace of modern irrigation techniques and uncontrolled exploitation of groundwater are worsening the situation. Every year about 35 MAF of floodwater flows into the sea as the country does not have proper water storage facilities.
Water crisis is no longer just an environmental or economic crisis, but it has become an existential crisis for Pakistan. If big and effective steps are not taken soon, then no one can stop 25 crore people from getting thirsty. The machinations of the army chief, delay in construction of dams and poor water policy are all the reasons why Pakistan is drawing the blueprint of its own destruction.
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